Scan barcode
ellestrike's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book - its lyrical, lovely writing and the quiet way it stole into my soul. One comment - it needs to have accompanying recipes!
sarahhyatt's review against another edition
5.0
This is a rare book in the trendy Christian blogger book market.
I think I knew that, when I ordered it from Amazon rather than wait for the library. I consistently read books by trendy Christian bloggers - though I dislike most of them, so I'm not sure why I keep on doing it. Usually what happens is I like the person's blog, and think a book must be the same. That isn't often the case, as clearly they are two very different things. The books often feel rushed/forced/repetitive, or are simply blog posts bound together.
This book, on the other hand, was a book. It was cohesive and well written, it flowed nicely, I left it knowing what it had been about. Christie is artful in her writing without being overdone, poetic but not flowery or overly vague. It is clear that Christie is an author who had a book that had to be written, not just a blogger with a book contract. This is a lovely book, reminiscent of Madeleine L'Engle's Crosswicks journals.
I think I knew that, when I ordered it from Amazon rather than wait for the library. I consistently read books by trendy Christian bloggers - though I dislike most of them, so I'm not sure why I keep on doing it. Usually what happens is I like the person's blog, and think a book must be the same. That isn't often the case, as clearly they are two very different things. The books often feel rushed/forced/repetitive, or are simply blog posts bound together.
This book, on the other hand, was a book. It was cohesive and well written, it flowed nicely, I left it knowing what it had been about. Christie is artful in her writing without being overdone, poetic but not flowery or overly vague. It is clear that Christie is an author who had a book that had to be written, not just a blogger with a book contract. This is a lovely book, reminiscent of Madeleine L'Engle's Crosswicks journals.
ddejong's review against another edition
5.0
Christie's writing is stunning- I highlighted aggressively throughout this book. The metaphor of the four seasons as well as the metaphors related to all the work Christie + family did during the first year of owning their late 1800s farmhouse really resonated with me. From a publishing perspective I thought this book was kind of bizarre- huge margins, very small font, not really a vivid black typeface (more grayish?). I was a little stumped by the amateurishness of the actual book. Nevertheless, a great read!
nomer15's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely beautiful book. It's one that I want to read slowly to truly savor it and, at the same time, read it quickly so I can immediately start reading it again. This will have a special place on my shelves!
kimatron's review against another edition
2.0
I'm sure this book is beautifully written and full of meaning to some people. It just wasn't for me. I read through the winter months anxious about her depression and feeling heavily burdened by her emotions. I looked forward to spring as she did, but her skein still held so much unknown and that kind of stressed me out too. Then summer was hot and beautiful and some of it resonated with my own feelings, but there were so many words and not in a way I enjoyed.
magistratrium's review
5.0
I loved this book! Her interweaving of home and garden, seasons and days, faith and family life is beautiful. I underlined madly and will have to go back and reread this book again and again. She reminds me of Madeleine L'Engle in her musings on life. The meditations on home and garden draw me in just as all books like this do.
Just a tiny taste: "Quietness is a receptive emptiness. Only the meek will inherit the earth because only the meek have room within themselves to receive such a wide and wild inheritance."
If you love to read about gardens and making a place for those you love, God's promises and our struggles to remember them, beauty and truth and goodness, read this book.
Just a tiny taste: "Quietness is a receptive emptiness. Only the meek will inherit the earth because only the meek have room within themselves to receive such a wide and wild inheritance."
If you love to read about gardens and making a place for those you love, God's promises and our struggles to remember them, beauty and truth and goodness, read this book.
ioanaisreading's review against another edition
3.0
This book is very poetic. If you are not at all familiar with Christie this might be surprising. She reminded me a bit of Ann Voskamp and her ability to turn the mundane into poetry. This is what Christie does: she takes the normal, ordinary, every day things and looks at them through a deeper and more profound lens. You need to pay attention to her words, not approach the book feeling tired and just wanting to get this book over with. There is a lot of good stuff in here and she offers quite a few thoughts to ponder.
I liked how she structured the book in four parts, each for one of the four seasons. The first one is autumn because that was the season when she and her family moved into Maplehurst, the house her husband and her had dreamed about for a long time. Autumn is also the time of year when her youngest daughter, Elsa was born. I liked her take on each season and how she relates to them and how these look like in a new city and a new house. I tried as much as possible to read a season in one sitting, or at least to not let too much time to pass before I moved to another one because I wanted to see what she saw in each one. The book reads like a collection of journal entries. A few times she talks in the present tense and I had some moments where it seemed that some ideas made sense to her, but were a bit more tricky for me as a reader to get them and be able to be keep up with them. As I said, the language is quite poetic, you need not rush in reading it. I enjoyed reading her take on some things, although I don't necessarily agree with her completely. I kept imagining what she was describing and I so wish I were able to visit Maplehurst myself!
I received this book a long, long time ago from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.
I liked how she structured the book in four parts, each for one of the four seasons. The first one is autumn because that was the season when she and her family moved into Maplehurst, the house her husband and her had dreamed about for a long time. Autumn is also the time of year when her youngest daughter, Elsa was born. I liked her take on each season and how she relates to them and how these look like in a new city and a new house. I tried as much as possible to read a season in one sitting, or at least to not let too much time to pass before I moved to another one because I wanted to see what she saw in each one. The book reads like a collection of journal entries. A few times she talks in the present tense and I had some moments where it seemed that some ideas made sense to her, but were a bit more tricky for me as a reader to get them and be able to be keep up with them. As I said, the language is quite poetic, you need not rush in reading it. I enjoyed reading her take on some things, although I don't necessarily agree with her completely. I kept imagining what she was describing and I so wish I were able to visit Maplehurst myself!
I received this book a long, long time ago from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.
michellef's review against another edition
"Roots and Sky" written by Christie Purifoy is an inspirational book of `A Journey Home in Four Seasons`. I was drawn to this book by its no-nonsense cover. Also by the representations of the four seasons. Unless otherwise noted any scripture used is from The Holy Bible (NIV).
The author examines the question, "Just how much heaven do we get to experience here on earth?" I would suggest this book is an allegory as Christie writes of her families first year at Maplehurst, an old Pennsylvania farmhouse. This book is also written as an inspirational for women.
Built in 1880, Maplehurst is a square red-brick farmhouse wrapped in a white-spindled porch (pg 13). The setting is intended to be real with a garden, a henhouse, and apple trees. The time is set in the present with bicycles, two-car garages, and new backyard decks, instead of a place where cattle graze. (pg 13)
I am sure anyone who enjoys prose would enjoy this 202-page book I also believe it's a beautifully written work of art that the average reader can appreciate.
Disclaimer: I was compensated with this book for my honest review.
The author examines the question, "Just how much heaven do we get to experience here on earth?" I would suggest this book is an allegory as Christie writes of her families first year at Maplehurst, an old Pennsylvania farmhouse. This book is also written as an inspirational for women.
Built in 1880, Maplehurst is a square red-brick farmhouse wrapped in a white-spindled porch (pg 13). The setting is intended to be real with a garden, a henhouse, and apple trees. The time is set in the present with bicycles, two-car garages, and new backyard decks, instead of a place where cattle graze. (pg 13)
I am sure anyone who enjoys prose would enjoy this 202-page book I also believe it's a beautifully written work of art that the average reader can appreciate.
Disclaimer: I was compensated with this book for my honest review.
bonniestoltzfoos's review against another edition
5.0
A new favorite! What a beautiful book. I smiled and took deep restorative breaths and laughed so many times throughout these pages. Christie’s descriptions of her farmhouse, her family, and her garden pulled me right into the story. I am not sure I’ve ever read such beautiful descriptive language. I am inspired to be myself, to care for my place with joy and deep satisfaction, and to enjoy beauty with the LORD. Can’t wait to read Christie’s new book releasing this month.